Plant Quick Guide
Growing Zones:
Mature Height:
Mature Width:
Sunlight:
Spacing:
Chill Hours:
Growth Rate:
Flower Color:
Harvest Time:
Years to Bear:
Pollinator:
Does Not Ship To:
Apple Trees - Melrose
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-8.
Description
The Melrose Apple is an outstanding American variety prized for its rich flavor, large fruit, and excellent keeping qualities. Introduced by the Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station in 1944, Melrose is a cross between the beloved ‘Jonathan’ and ‘Red Delicious’ apples. It combines the aromatic tang of Jonathan with the sweet, mellow flavor of Red Delicious, resulting in a perfectly balanced, full-bodied apple. With its deep red blush and creamy, fine-textured flesh, Melrose remains a favorite among orchardists and home gardeners who appreciate traditional apple flavor and reliable performance.
Key Features
• Rich, Full-Bodied Flavor: Offers a sweet-tart balance with aromatic undertones reminiscent of classic heirloom apples.
• Excellent Storage Life: Keeps for up to four months in refrigeration while maintaining firmness and flavor.
• Attractive Appearance: Large, round-conic fruit with a rosy red blush over a yellow-green background.
• Versatile Use: Exceptional for fresh eating, baking, and cider; holds texture and flavor beautifully when cooked.
• Dependable Producer: Consistent mid- to late-season yields of high-quality fruit, ideal for both home and market orchards.
Mature Size
• Height: 12–15 feet (standard); 8–10 feet (semi-dwarf)
• Spread: 10–15 feet
• Growth Rate: Moderate
USDA Hardiness Zones
• Zones 4–8
Chill Hours
• Requires approximately 800–1000 chill hours for optimal fruiting.
Care Instructions
• Sunlight: Requires full sun (6–8 hours daily) for best color, sugar content, and overall health.
• Soil: Prefers well-drained, fertile loam with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0–7.0); avoid heavy or waterlogged soils.
• Watering: Keep evenly moist, especially during bloom and fruit development; mulch to conserve soil moisture.
• Pruning: Prune annually in late winter to open the canopy, remove crossing limbs, and encourage productive new growth.
• Pollination: Requires cross-pollination with another mid-season variety such as ‘Golden Delicious,’ ‘Jonathan,’ or ‘Honeycrisp’ for best yields.
Landscape Uses
• Excellent for home orchards, farm stands, and backyard fruit production.
• Ideal for fresh eating, pies, applesauce, and cider blends.
• Offers four-season beauty with spring blossoms, glossy green summer foliage, and vibrant red fruit in fall.
The Melrose Apple embodies the timeless flavor and dependable performance of a true American classic. Whether eaten crisp off the tree, baked into a fragrant pie, or stored for winter enjoyment, Melrose delivers consistent quality and old-fashioned orchard charm season after season.
More Information: Apple Growing Guide
Shipping
At Plant Me Green we handle, package and ship the products you order with the utmost care. We ship your plants using FedEx Ground® the following business day after you have completed checkout.
We are now offering $15 flat rate shipping for all tree orders! Replacement tree shipping cost will be $15 per box. We still cannot ship to some states and US territories based off the Agricultural Laws that may be in place. Please see below for all exclusions.
If you have any questions concerning transit time for your order, please feel free to contact us at info@plantmegreen.com or toll free 855-817-5268.
Trees: Due to strict Agricultural Laws in place, we currently cannot ship to the following states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii. We cannot ship to Puerto Rico or international.
How to Plant
STEP 2) Once you've located the perfect spot, the hole you are digging must be at least double the width and as deep as the root system you are planting.
STEP 3) Remove the plant from the pot and place the root ball in the hole. The top of the root system should be level with the ground. Before placing the tree or shrub in the hole, use your hands to gently break up the root system.
STEP 4) Once the plant is in place, backfill the hole with native soil and any leftover potting material.
STEP 5) Pack down the soil to eliminate any air pockets.
STEP 6) When finished, water thoroughly.
Care Guide
